Who are behind Our Heritage?

Team

An enthusiastic team that volunteers at Our Heritage: various with Caribbean (including Surinamese and Guyanese) roots and connections, a range of mixed heritage and busy jobs, business classes and PhDs besides this project.

Fausia S. Abdul

Founder & Coordinator
PhD Researcher

"Growing up in a Dutch village, I became fascinated early on by different perspectives, identity and its fluid nature. As a PhD candidate and official with 12+ years of experience in e.g. I work on linguistic, socio-political, and theological issues in Amsterdam, Berlin, New York, and Vienna. I write for Global Voices, was active at UNSA Vienna and developed The Culinary Historibbean, relaunch in '25 in 2021. My passion for, and experience with, herstory led to Our Heritage, in which my mixed Caribbean background is central."

Nataly Burgzorg

MA Researcher Gender & Caribbean History (2025)

"Born and raised in Curaçao, I carry a rich cultural background with me and grandparents from Curaçao, Nevis, St. Maarten and Suriname. I studied media and cultural sciences and gender studies at Utrecht University. Now I work as a researcher and filmmaker. I also freelance for the University of Curaçao Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez, where I bring together gender, colonial history, art, and culture. Through my work, I aim to offer a broader perspective on Caribbean identity through underexposed stories."

Rashid Dossett

PhD Researcher

Caribbean Islands & Migration

(2024 - now)

"As an alumnus of Leiden University and Erasmus University Rotterdam I specialise in anthropological and sociological issues around the Western world and the Global South. Originally from Curaçao, I now live in the Netherlands and do PhD research at the Free University of Brussels on the colonial legacy of the Caribbean and Latin America. In addition, I write historical thrillers, I am setting up a sustainable textile company and I enjoy cosplay and photography."

Fariel Soeleiman

(Event) Content Creator

(2024 - now)

"My musical journey took me from my native Suriname to America and the Netherlands, where I studied music. Since my graduation in 2022 I work in the film industry, specialised in social media, with which I bring my passion for stories to life. I am currently working for a foundation to make that film accessible. Ever since I was a child, feminism has been a constant theme in my life and inspires me. My Surinamese roots strongly connect me with the Caribbean culture and strive to make this wealth visible."

Hilde Neus

PhD Researcher

Slavery History (2024 - now)

"After years of in-depth archival research on women in the 18th century, I have uncovered numerous surprising stories. I share my passion for literature and women's history on the literary page of newspaper De Ware Tijd in Suriname and as a speaker at (inter)national conferences. In addition, I teach and do PhD research on free creole women at Anton de Kom University. I previously published Susanna du Plessis and I continue to explore to bring hidden histories to life."

Matthijs Kraijo

PhD Researcher Contractarbeid (2025 - now)

"During my study History I became fascinated by the 19th-century history of Suriname and the Caribbean. As an outgraduate student at Radboud University, I study the history of Indian contract workers in Suriname, South Africa and Fiji. In doing so, I combine migration records and socio-demographic data with qualitative sources to better understand their lifespans from their own perspective whenever possible. I also work as an Assistant Secretary at the Faculty of Arts."

Lily W. K.

Administrative Project Assistant (2024 - now)

"With years of experience in administration and as a health experience expert, I have a strong affinity with the older generation in the Surinamese and Caribbean communities who are caught between two stools in the Dutch bureaucracy. I help them find their way in later life and assist them in understanding complex procedures. In addition, I volunteer for various neighbourhood and health initiatives for women aged 55+, with the aim of supporting and connecting them."

External & (former) Ad-Hoc Contributors

Ryaen la Rose

Historian

Writer Columnseries

Our HERitage Speaks 2025

"Writing is a passion that I have been able to develop over the past few years as a journalist besides being a teacher of history in Suriname. My drive comes from the many unwritten stories that lie ahead of us. Everyone has a voice but cannot always make it heard. My MA thesis concerned the developments of Winti in the district of Coronie from 1863 to 2022. In addition, I have my own company ‘Rutu Taki’ (focus: personal development and expansion spirit)."

Lisette van den Berg

Anthropologist and heritage specialist

Adviser exhibition inclusion & heritage

Our HERitage 2025

"As an anthropologist, I've always had a special interest in cultural heritage. The stories and tangible remains are not only a bridge to the past, but also to the people who preceded us. With the focus on this human aspect, a sense of recognition is created, and the past suddenly comes remarkably close. Something that I also emphasise in my work: the shared past and its colonial impact. I remain optimistic, however, and I am building an inclusive future.'

Laurie Wissink

Archive specialist Collection Overijssel

Former team member Our HERitage 2024-2025

"With a passion for colonial and gender history, I see the red line of power relations throughout our history. After my studies in European culture and history (gender discourse in colonial contexts) I entered the archives sector. Between my marriage and new career moves I was part of the team twice, and now at Collectie Overijssel I put the collections on the map for new target groups and stimulate socially relevant research."

Diantha Vliet

University Professor at Universiteit van Utrecht

Education Representation & Identity Our HERuity 2025

"As a media and culture scientist and lecturer at the University of Utrecht I would like to give attention to the voices and stories that we don't usually hear. During my studies, I focused on media representation as an interest for collective and individual identity formation. Especially in my almost 10 years of studying in the United States, I have started to really think about what I do or do not know about my own history. My family is from Suriname, and that is not only an important part of my story, but that of the whole of the Netherlands."

Rowan van der Stelt

Historian

Ad hoc Archive Research for Our HERiture 2024 - 2025

"As a historian, I make underexposed stories visible, including through the CECD in Dordrecht. Historical research I see as a way to contribute to social change, in line with the needs within communities. I combine family tree research with historical context to give people insight into their history, such as in collaboration with Vereniging Matuaribo and Het Archief Onwaken, and work on educational cultural projects!"

Ludmila Duncan

PhD candidate

ad hoc Outreach Assistent Our HERitage 2025

"I am an island girl from Sint Maarten with roots in Curaçao, Aruba and beyond. With an MSc Business Development in my pocket, I am a writer, creative, researcher and former member of parliament with a deep love for stories, systems, and social change. After the Dutch government apologised for the slavery past I contributed to the book Sailing in Salt Water and, in addition to owning Scriptis, be editor-in-chief of ORIGINSSS Magazine. My mission: to make my ancestors proud and to become a worthy ancestor myself."

Sjaïesta Nanhekhan

Former team member Our HERmitage 2024

Researcher Leyden Academy

"With a master's degree in public administration (Erasmus University) and experience in participatory research, I focus on inclusive societies and policies. As a team member and participant, I brought in my diverse background and combined research methods such as government archives. In 2025 I started my part-time PhD and expanded my working hours at Leyden Academy which I combine with motherhood. This makes me no longer a team member but stay supportive!"